Cigarette case



June 16, 1942. 5. SOWIN 2,286,389

CIGARETTE CASE Filed Sept. 29, 1959 38 f a4 1 Ii 18 \lv GEO/96E So Patented June 16, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CIGARETTE CASE George Sowin, Berwick, Pa. Application September 29, 1939, Serial No. 297,159

2 Claims. (01. 248-224) This invention relates to cigarette cases, and it is particularly concerned with a cigarette case adapted to receive a package of cigarettes and maintain the contents thereof in good condition until the last one has been used.

It is an object of this invention to provide a cigarette case which is adapted to be carried in the pocket of a user, and one which is also provided with means adapted to support or fix the case in a selected one of a number of readily accessible positions.

A further object of the invention consists in the construction of a cigarette case whichpere mits ready access to the cigarettes disposed within the case.

These and further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the detailed description thereof proceeds. The description is to be read with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which like reference numerals indicate like parts, and in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the case showing the cover thereof in closed position.

Figure 2 is a front elevational view showing the cover in open position.

Figure 3 is a side elevational view showing the cover in open position; and

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Figure 3.

The cigarette case constituting this invention consists of an open ended body portion ID of rectangular cross-section having internal dimensions substantially the size of a conventional package of cigarettes. The body portion l consists of front wall I2, rear wall 14, bottom wall l6, and two recessed side walls IS.

The open end 26 of the case is normally closed by a lid or cover 22 which is suitably hinged along one longer edge of the body l0 and at the open end thereof, as for example, at 23. A spring means 24 may be provided to urge the cover to open position.

A cut-out 26 is formed in the longer edge of the body member l0 opposite the hinged edge and at the open end 20 thereof to provide access to cigarettes disposed within the case. The cutout 26 is preferably disposed centrally in the edge of the front wall I 2 and terminates short of the side walls l8. At the bottom of the cutout 26 is a catch 28 which is adapted to register with a complementary recessed member carried by the cover 22, for the purpose of holding the cover in closed position, as will be more fully described hereinafter. The cover 22 is provided with a depending member 30 at the longer free edge thereof which is shaped to conform to the outline of the cut-out 26 to adapt the member 30 to register with and close the cut-out 26 when the cover 22 is in closed position. The depending member 30 is provided with a recess 32 which is adapted to register with the projecting catch member 28 for the purpose of holding the cover 22 closed.

There have been available, heretofore, cigarette cases of a construction somewhat similar to that comprising this invention, but the prior cases have been adapted either solely for pocket use, or solely to use in connection with a fixed support. In order to render a cigarette case adaptable to both pocket use and to use with a fixed support, this invention provides a means in one wall of the case adapted to register with a supporting hook or the like.

The particular means here illustrated, includes a socket 34 in one of the walls vof the body Ill. The socket 34, which is illustrated as being disposed in the wall l4, has an open end 36 which is adapted to receive a support hook 38. The open end 36 of the socket 34 may be brought into registration with the free end of the hook 38 and may be detachably secured thereto by sliding the socket 34 over the hook. The hook 38 may be permanently affixed to a supporting structure, but in order to adapt the case to use in different locations, a vacuum cup 40 is preferably fixed to the free end of the hook 38, so that the case may be supported in any selected position, such as for example, the windshield or dashboard of an automobile.

Any suitable material may be utilized in the construction of the cigarette case constituting this invention, but preferably the same is formed of a moldable composition so that a unitary molded structure can be produced. Furthermore, it is desirable that the material from which the case is molded be sufiiciently resilient to permit slight pressure on the face of the case in the neighborhood of the catch 28 to depress the catch 28 sufliciently to disengage the same from the recess 32 in the depending member 30, thus permitting the spring 24 to move the lid to open position without further attention from the user.

When a package of cigarettes is inserted through the open end 20, the paper of the package is preferably torn away from a portion of one face thereof and from one end, so that the cigarettes contained therein are exposed for a short distance along their length at the cut-out opening 26. Such procedure renders cigarettes may be withdrawn without difliculty.

While the invention has been described in its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the same is capable of modifications within the scope and spirit of the subjoined claims.

. 2,286,389 disposed within the case accessible so that they engage a supporting member in non-rotative position.

2. In a cigarette case having a rigid and selfsustaining body portion of rectangular cross section and having an open end adapted to receive a cigarette package, a longitudinal socket formed medially in one or the wider walls 01' said body, an open end at the bottom of said socket adapted to receive a supporting member and a supporting member for said case within said socket, said socket and said supporting member each having a non-circular cross section or substantially the same shape whereby said socket and said holding member are maintained in non-rotative relation with respect to each other.

GEORGE SOWIN. 

